If you feel you are "missing out" because of your hearing, it is first of all your own responsibility to do something about it.
Listed below are some simple rules which can help you to hear and to communicate better, whether or not you are wearing a hearing aid.
 Stage manage the listening situation to your best advantage
* Sit opposite the speaker rather than beside him, so that you can comfortably observe the whole situation.
* Avoid facing a window or bright light that may put the speaker's face in shadow.
Watch carefully, observing the whole expression of the person you wish to hear
* Don't concentrate on the speaker's lips alone.
* Don't be afraid of appearing to stare, or be rude. It is always polite to look at the person you are listening to.
Look for ideas, not single words
* As you become more familiar with each speaker, key words will emerge to help you to put the message together.
Identify the topic, as soon as possible
* Family and friends may learn to give you this information, or you may quietly ask what is being discussed.
* You will find it much easier to catch on to what is being said if you keep up with current affairs, and with the activities of your family and friends.
Re-wording
* If you don't understand anything that has been said, ask the speaker to say the same thing in different words.
However, if you have caught any part of the message, use it in a question to fill in the gaps.
* Use questions that ask WHEN - WHERE - HOW or WHY?
Example:
Companion: "Will you meet me outside the station at 5.00 o'clock?"
Yourself: "Where did you want me to meet you?" or "When will you be at the station?"
* Avoid saying WHAT? BEG PARDON? or EH? These will prompt only a repetition of what you have already missed - and you'll probably miss it again.
Remember that conversation is two-way
* Do not monopolise it in order to stay in control
Remember also
* Many people do not know how to help a hearing impaired person. Put them at ease by telling them firstly that you do not hear well,
and then what it is that they can do to help you to manage better.
TEACHING YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES HOW BEST TO HELP YOU IS YOUR RESPONSBILITY
This fact sheet was adapted from "Rosen, J: Hearing Loss: The Invisible Handicap. ©1989. Illustrations- Mark Buckle". The second part of this fact sheet can be given to your family and friends.
It deals with the topic of 'How to communicate with a person who has difficulty in hearing'.
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